Fallen branches and toppled bikes littered the streets of Paget, Pembroke and Warwick yesterday in the wake of Hurricane Igor.

But despite more than a day of high winds and higher waves, there appeared to be little structural damage in the central parishes.

While Corporation of Hamilton crews worked to clear the city of debris, a handful of businesses, including the Island Hi Eatery and LV Variety opened for business yesterday morning.

As the day progressed, more stores, bars and restaurants throughout town opened, giving people somewhere to go while the power was out in their homes.

More problematic than the leaves littering Hamilton's streets yesterday was the lack of functioning traffic lights.

A spokeswoman for the Corporation of Hamilton said that work to put the lights back on is underway, but until work is complete, drivers were asked to drive cautiously.

King Edward VII Memorial Hospital remained on emergency lockdown throughout yesterday morning, but the building itself appeared to avoid any major damage.

As the storm approached the Island on Saturday, crowds gathered along South Shore to watch the waves crash into the rocks, sending water — and fish — on to land.

Nancy Dorsey said: "I was at the Astwood Park cliffs on Saturday afternoon and the waves were 12 feet above the cliffs. It was like a fireworks display.

"What was really exciting is that there were fish in the sea spray being catapulted at least 30 feet into the air."

Despite the size and strength of the waves most South Shore hotels, including Coco Reef and Coral Beach, escaped without severe damage.

Mickey's Bar and Restaurant at Elbow Beach, however, was less lucky. Metal doors to several supply and electrical closets were forced open by the strength of the waves.

Yesterday morning, sand and water filled the rooms, with a water heater left lying on the sand connected to the wall by a single chord.

A wooden fence in the area was also severely damaged with large branches blocking several pathways around the resort.

Surf Side Beach Club, which was closed during the storm, suffered some damage to several balconies and a poolside veranda, but staff said repairs would only take a few days.

"We were worried about the terrace on the way to the beach, but that seems to have coped quite well," said a spokesperson for the site.

"Of course, we lost the sand from our beach, but we're hoping some of Horseshoe washes down this way!"

Outside Warwick Camp, Regiment soldiers steered traffic around a low hanging power line, one of several throughout the area.

While thousands of homes were left without power, most residents were relieved that there was far less damage then they had expected.

"Looking around, it seems like it should be easy enough to clear up," said James Barnes.